ECN-Electronic Component News articles from March 2008

ECN-Electronic Component News back issues from March 2008:

Confidence as world commodity.(Editor's View)

Mar 01, 2008; ... For all the new component demos I see each year, particularly those with applications for consumer electronics, I often wonder whether the latest whiz-bang feature that a particular component is intended to deliver for the end-product is really satisfying some sort of demand. In other ...

MCUs operate down to 0.9V, enabling portables to derive power from a single-cell battery.(Leading Off)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Silicon Laboratories introduced microcontrollers (MCUs) capable of operating down to 0.9V, enabling portable devices to derive power from a single-cell battery. The C8051F9xx family's eight-bit architecture with an integrated high-efficiency DC/DC boost converter, which can supply up to 65 ...

Op amp combines high voltage and high accuracy.(Leading Off)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Texas Instruments introduced a precision power operational amplifier (op amp) which operates on supplies up to 100V and provides a high output current of [+ or -]50 mA with a 150 mA short circuit limit. The OPA454 is unity-gain stable and can track fast moving signals since it has a slew ...

USB to Synchronous cable enables IP data communications for tactical radios.(Leading Off)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Sealevel Systems' ACC-188 USB Synchronous Interface Adapter enables tactical radios currently used by the U.S. Armed Forces to interface to PCs and transmit IP based data. According to the company, the adapter allows warfighters to quickly transmit and receive data such as GPS maps, ...

Digital power controllers integrate active, accurate current sharing.(Leading Off)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Zilker Labs introduced adaptive DC/DC power controllers for maximizing efficiency in power-constrained applications. The ZL2006 and ZL2004--additions to the company's Digital-DC product family--include new proprietary algorithms that dynamically optimize efficiency as operating conditions ...

Stand-alone GPS receiver module with UART-NMEA interface.(Leading Off)

Mar 01, 2008 ... NavSync's TrineX CW27 is a self-contained GPS receiver module based on the NemeriX NX3 high sensitivity A-GPS single chip receiver. Using a new baseband processor and RF front end, the module performs in a small SMT package to help minimize power consumption and maximize battery life. It ...

Oscilloscopes feature large display, fast waveform update rate.(Leading Off)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Agilent Technologies expanded its mixed-signal and digital-storage oscilloscope portfolio with 10 new models that comprise its next-generation InfiniiVision 7000 Series. The series offers band-widths up to 1 GHz and a deep memory waveform update rate of up to 100,000 waveforms per second ....

Motors & motion control.(PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY REVIEW)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Applied Motion Products' ST10-Si Stepper Drives deliver 24V to 80V DC with an output current of up to 10A peak, and they are engineered to protect against over-voltage, under-voltage, over-temperature and external output shorts. They provide eight digital inputs and four digital outputs. ...

Small logic analyzers pack in the bits.(Test & Measurement)

Mar 01, 2008; ... Small logic analyzers put many digital channels, trigger options and I/O capabilities in an instrument that engineers can consider as their own. These small analyzers connect through a USB port to a host PC that controls functions and displays, and saves information. ...

Select the optimal power management IC.(Power ICs)

Mar 01, 2008; ... Managing power is a critical requirement for all electronic equipment from notebooks to PDAs to storage peripherals. Power management ICs can optimize power usage to match the constantly changing demands of whatever task the device is carrying out. There are several important criteria to ...

Battery and IC products enable portable consumer-electronic devices.(Consumer Electronic)

Mar 01, 2008; ... In the world of portable consumer-electronic devices, manufacturers are faced with a challenging prospect--creating physically smaller devices that have enhanced performance while maintaining or extending operating battery life. These requirements have rippled throughout the entire ...

Instruments scope out bus details.(Test & Measurement)

Mar 01, 2008; ... Although serial ports may seem like antiques, for many years ahead, equipment will continue to rely on serial communications via RS-485, [I.sup.2]C, SPI, SATA and 10-Gigabit Ethernet links, for example. But testing and troubleshooting communications on these and other serial buses can get ...

The evolution of the buck-boost DC/DC regulator.(Low Power Design)

Mar 01, 2008; ... DC/DC buck (step-down) converters and boost (step-up) converters address a unidirectional voltage conversion of always regulating a voltage less than or more than the input supply, respectively. However, the question of how to regulate a voltage accurately if the input supply varies above, ...

Video drivers in low-power applications.(Low power Design)

Mar 01, 2008; ... Portable devices are an integral part of our day-to-day existence, and consumers demand longer operating times as well as additional functionality and features with each new product generation. Users' refusal to be tethered to a wall outlet puts a heavy burden on both the device's battery ...

Digital Power management drives energy efficiency.(On the Spot)

Mar 01, 2008 ... The need for higher energy efficiency in embedded systems continues to rise on the priority list of systems developers and end users alike, placing the desire for higher functionality and system density on a collision course with the increasing demands of energy savings initiatives such as ...

Trend report: energy conservation and sustainable design.

Mar 01, 2008; ... The concept of sustainable design started, not as a way of conserving the environment, but to prolong battery life in portable consumer goods such as cell phones, laptops and PDAs. Many of the concepts developed for these devices have now passed into mainstream applications, including ...

Single-ended versus differential drivers.(From the Street)

Mar 01, 2008; ... Most portable PMPs today use a single-ended driver for the transport layer. This insures a common DC reference for the data threshold and makes termination relatively easy. The downside is that this topology lends itself to common-mode voltage interference, ESD and ground loop issues. To ...

Rugged miniature PC provides extensive I/O.(BOARDS & MODULES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Tangent, Inc. announced its Mini UX solid-state, fanless, rugged x86 computer for harsh environments. It withstands shock, dust, vibration, humidity, extreme temperatures and electromagnetic interference. The design includes a hard drive mounted on four gel shock absorbers that are rated ...

Advanced mezzanine card for telecom infrastructure applications.(BOARDS & MODULES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Emerson Network Power Embedded Computing announced its Model KSI8560 advanced mezzanine card for telecom infrastructure applications. Combining a PowerQUICC III controller with up to eight channelized E1/T1 spans, the card provides carrier-class, high-speed protocol and packet processing, ...

VME/VXS board with gigabit serial interfaces.(BOARDS & MODULES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Pentek, Inc. released its Model 4207 for high-performance digital signal processing and data acquisition systems. The board uses Freescale's MPC8641D Dual Core PowerPC AltiVec Processor and a Xilinx Virtex-4 FX Series FPGA. A fabric-transparent crossbar switch bridges gigabit serial ...

VPX backplane for military and aerospace applications.(BOARDS & MCDULES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Carlo Gavazzi Computing Solutions announced its six-slot, 3U VPX ruggedized enhanced design implementation (REDI) backplane for military and aerospace applications. A commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system, the backplane offers high-bandwidth in a compact size, and it integrates the latest ...

Thirty-two-channel isolated analog input card.(BOARDS & MODULES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech introduced its PCI-I715U isolated high-speed analog card for the PCI bus. With isolated circuits, the card protects sensitive measurement circuitry from interference currents or voltages which is useful when the external voltage is different ...

Sixteen-bit analog input mezzanine board offers high resolution.(BOARDS & MODULES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... MEN Micro Inc. announced its M36N M-Module analog input mezzanine board that provides high resolution and precise data acquisition for analog signals found throughout automation, measuring and simulation applications. Available in 16-or 18-bit versions, the module can be used as an I/O ...

Small solid-state drive for handheld devices.(BOARDS & MODULES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Intel Corp. announced its Z-P 140 PATA solid-state drives (SSD) for handheld mobile devices. These 2 GB and 4 GB ultra-small devices are fast, low-power and rugged with the size, capacity and performance for mobile Internet devices, digital entertainment and embedded products. The line has ...

Lighted pushbutton switch with laser etching cap options.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... CIT Relay & Switch introduced its LPH series bi-color, lighted pushbutton switch with a variety of cap options. Available with DPDT or 4PDT switch function, it offers both momentary and latching styles. The LED color options available are red, green, yellow and blue. Design engineers can ...

Coaxial solid-state pin diode switches for R&D.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Agilent Technologies, Inc. introduced a family of coaxial solid-state PIN diode switches that include the P9400A/C transfer, P9402A/C SPDT and P9404A/C SP4T switches with a broad operating frequency range from 100 MHz up to 18 GHz for automatic test equipment (ATE) systems. Desirable ...

Modular pushbutton switches offer illumination options.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... E-Switch announced its modular MDP-16 Series of illuminated pushbutton switches with a modular interface design that features an attractive front panel and many illumination options. Actuator styles include a low or high bezel with a flush mount or full guard option. There are six actuator ...

Power rocker switch for industrial and commercial applications.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Tyco Electronics introduced its PRC Series of power rocker switches for snapin panel mounting. The series is IP66 rated for protection against dust and liquids. PRC power rocker switches are suitable for applications in industrial machinery, vacuum cleaners, HVAC equipment, power tools, ...

Control switch is fully sealed to IP68 spec.(ELECTRO MECHANICAL / MECHANICAL DEVICES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... APEM Components, Inc. announced its MT Series environmentally sealed toggle switch that functions as a rotary or rocker switch. The series is activated using a slight rocking motion by an operator's finger or thumb, and it is appropriate for applications requiring a sealed, ergonomic ...

Slide switches include single and double pole options.(ELECTROMECHNICAL/MECHNICAL DEVICES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Phaseda introduced its XN-Series power slide switches that have many functional options, including single pole and double pole, two to four positions. Terminals are a solder lug, PC through-hole type. The UL approved electrical rating is up to 16A ...

Small linear motor pushes big axial loads.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... New Scale Technologies introduced its small piezoelectric SQL-1.8 SQUIGGLE motor that travels 7 mm per second. It pushes axial loads of up to 30g, nearly 200 times its own weight of 0.16g, which is 40 percent faster and 50 percent stronger than the slightly smaller SQL-1.5 SQUIGGLE motor ....

PTC high power heaters offer compact heating.(ELECTROMECHANICAL/MECHANICAL DEVICES)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Spectrum Sensors and Controls introduced its high power, compact heater that uses ceramic PTC technology as the heating element. The PTC thermistors in this heater are self-regulating elements that can operate at a nearly constant temperature over a range of voltage and environmental ...

RoHS-Compliant extended temperature PC/104-plus computer.(EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... VersaLogic released a RoHS-compliant version of its extended temperature Lynx single board computer for embedded applications. Featuring the same technical specifications as its non-RoHS counterpart, the board is rated to operate in temperatures from -40[degrees]C to +40[degrees]C. It uses ...

Conduction-cooled SBC features speed and memory performance.(EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... General Micro Systems, Inc. introduced its conduction-cooled CompactPCI CC279 PREMONITION that offers optimal speed and memory, delivering four times the performance of previous in-a-single-slot, convection-cooled SBCs, according to the company. It supports Intel's ultra-fast ...

Network appliance board for UTM, VPN and firewall applications.(EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... VIA Technologies, Inc. announced its VIA NAB 7500 embedded board for advanced network security systems. Designed to address the needs of modern network security systems, the board is an integrated network appliance board for network security or gateway applications including firewall, VPN, ...

Industrial PCs target implementers of machine vision and automation.(EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... The Value Engineering Alliance (VEA) announced the EASY (Embedded Application SYstem) PC-compatible industrial computer and machine vision implementation platform in a compact, aluminum-housed package that provides the core hardware components needed to develop and deploy vision systems ....

Dual core VME board with dual core PowerPC processor.(EMBEDDED SYSTEMS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Emerson Network Power announced its model MVME7100 high performance VMEbus single-board computer. Featuring a dual core PowerPC processor and 2eSST high speed VMEbus interface, the board enables industrial, medical and defense/aerospace OEMs to add performance and features while providing ...

Development tools package for MATLAB algorithms.(EMPEDDED SYSTEMS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Xilinx, Inc. announced its XtremeDSP tools package and its Xtreme DSP development kit based on the Virtex - 5 SXT FPGA platform. The individual DSP design tools, system generator for DSP and AccelDSP are offered individually to accommodate specific user needs. This combination of design ...

SPDT analog switches with low 3.6 [OMEGA] on-resistance.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Vishay Intertechnology released its DG469 and DG470 high-voltage, single-and dual-supply single-pole double-throw (SPDT) analog switches. The switches are identical except that the DG470 provides an enable pin which puts all of the switches in a high-impedance state, maintaining a "safe ...

Low-jitter clock generators provide high-frequency timing.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Maxim Integrated Products introduced its MAX3624 and MAX3625 high-performance, quad/triple-output clock generators for network equipment. They use a lownoise VCO and PLL architecture to generate a high-frequency, ultra-low-jitter (0.36 psRMS) clock signal from a low-frequency crystal ...

Trickle charger reduces parts count.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Ramtron International Corp. introduced its FM31x Processor Companion family with a realtime clock that requires only a standard 12.5 pF external watch crystal. Its has 4, 16, 64 or 256 Kb of non-volatile F-RAM memory, a high-speed two-wire interface and integrated support/peripheral ...

Multi-chip module features wide input voltage range.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) expanded its TB7004FL power multi-chip modules (MCM) with a single package, 35A, 30V synchronous step-down converter switching module for high-current, low-voltage applications such as servers, server point-of-load modules, desktop PCs and ...

Power amplifier input stages reduce design time.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... National Semiconductor Corp. extended its high-fidelity LME audio amplifier family with the introduction of its LME49811 and LME49830 200V mono audio power amplifier input stages with low distortion. They have scalable output power based on supply voltage and output device count. ...

Power management ICs maximize battery runtime, minimize heat.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Linear Technology Corp. introduced its LTC3556 multi-function power management device for Li-Ion/Polymer battery applications. It integrates a switching PowerPath manager, a stand-alone battery charger, ideal diode, [I.sup.2]C control, a synchronous buck-boost regulator, two synchronous ...

Backlight inverter drive ICs eliminate external components.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Fairchild Semiconductor introduced its FAN7316 and FAN7317 CCFL backlight inverter drive ICs for N-N half-bridge, push-pull and P-N full-bridge LCD designs. A wide input voltage range, built in open lamp protection and open lamp regulation eliminate up to 30 external components in ...

LED driver for large displays.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Catalyst Semiconductor, Inc. expanded its recently introduced family of large LED video display drivers with the CAT4008, an eight-channel, constant-current sink LED driver for billboard, marquee, instrument and other large, general-purpose LED displays. The device's LED channels can ...

Battery fuel gauges features integrated LDOs.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Texas Instruments introduced two battery fuel gauge devices with integrated low-dropout regulators (LDOs) for smart phones, mobile internet devices and media players with embedded or removable batteries. The bq27510 system-side battery fuel gauge with Impedance Track technology can be ...

Gate driver IC features ground fault protection.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... International Rectifier introduced its IRS26302D protected 600V three-phase gate driver IC with ground fault protection. The IC has a seventh gate drive channel for a power factor correction (PFC) switch or inverter brake, making it suitable for medium power appliance motor control and ...

Flash memory controllers offer fail safe features.(INTEGRATED CIRCUITS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... CML Microcircuits UK Ltd. announced the addition of the F3 family of Flash memory controllers from Hyperstone GmbH to its product lineup. Targeting applications such as solid state disk (SSD), disk-on-module (DoM), CompactFlash (CF) cards and embedded Flash or disks-on-board, the F3 with ...

Industrial LCD monitor in resistive and capacitive configurations.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Stealth Computer Corp. introduced its TuffTouch industrial grade LCD monitor, a rugged and versatile touchscreen designed to survive in industrial and commercial environments. The 17" steel enclosure is rated for NEMA 4/IP 66 to withstand water, dust and dirt. It supports resolutions up to ...

Surface mount indicators feature the latest LED technology.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Dialight Corp. introduced its 593 Series of round-lens Tri-Level Prism devices that provide indication without taking up more space, and they help eliminate mixed technology PC board processing, according to the company. The series includes single-, bi- and tri-color combinations that are ...

Small SVGA display exhibits sharp color images.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYSS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Kopin Corp. announced its fingernail-size, color CyberDisplay SVGA LVS microdisplay that measures 0.44" diagonal. This display shrinks the full-color pixel size to 11.25 [micro][m.sup.2]. It is a transmissive LCD display with the same architecture as LCD flat panel TVs, but with ultra-high ...

LED driver ICs offer 16 constant-current output channels, serial data inputs.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. announced its models A6282 and A6285 LED driver ICs for use in displays, signs and control panels. They have 16 constant-current output channels along with serial data inputs and outputs which can be cascaded to create large, megapixel text or video displays ....

Compact LED bulb provides constant current.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... The CAO Group introduced a compact high flux Dynasty LED bulb with a driver included in the base to provide constant current, transforming AC/DC low voltage to ~3.3V. Available with both white and color LEDs, the bulb is screw-mounted on a waterproof 1156 base. With these standard ...

LED flashlight bulb delivers 1,200 foot-candles.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... LEDtronics announced its 3W LED PR-style flashlight bulb with a T31/4 (9 mm) flange base that fits virtually any two- or three-cell flashlight. With up to 1,200 foot-candles of light, this LED PR bulb provides common flashlights with a bright, solid-state, durable and weather-resistant ...

Blue and violet laser diodes contain a precision current source.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Power Technology, Inc. introduced its high power blue and violet laser diodes for use with its PM laser module, 405 nm at 60 mW, allowing additional selection variety. These diodes can be useful in most applications that use Argon-Ion, Helium Cadmium and blue Nd: YAG lasers such as ...

WVGA TFT offers stabke supply, lifecycle for commercial and industrial uses.(OPTOELECTRONICS & DISPLAYS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... One Stop Displays introduced its Model OSD-804805-6UFLWB 7.0" TFT that offers a stable supply and lifecycle in a mid-sized TFT. This color AMLCD a-Si TFT is capable of full video, offering digital TTL 18-bit parallel interface and a form factor common in the market. The display has ...

Mini USB interconnects with data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Keystone Electronics Corp. introduced a series of advanced, miniaturized, high speed USB plug and socket interconnects which accommodate accelerated wideband applications for computer and electronic devices. With data transfer speeds up to 480 Mbps, these USB connectors interface with ...

Edgecard connectors operate with thicker daughtercards.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Sullins Electronics announced the expansion of their edgecard connector portfolio to include a high-temperature, dual-readout series that accepts 0.093" (2.36 mm) thick daughtercards. These edgecard connectors are engineered for high-temperature applications such as straight and right ...

Electrically conductive latex coating has anti-static properties.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Master Bond introduced its LTX-117G electrically conductive, water-based adhesive, sealant and coating. It is a one-part, UV stable latex adhesive where the electrical conductivity is achieved by the incorporation of a non-metallic graphite filler. This polymer system dries by water ...

Rail guides enable precise linear positioning.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... SKF USA, Inc. announced its profile rail guides that provide precise positioning, smooth operation, high load-carrying capacity, high stiffness and unlimited stroke for linear motion system applications in medical, factory automation, assembly and electronics manufacturing. The expanded ...

Shielded M8 connectors with screw termination.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Binder-USA announced the addition of shielded connectors with screw termination to its Series 768 M8 Euro-style connectors. These connectors allow for shielded connections that protect analog and sensitive signals from EMI interference in industrial Ethernet or Fieldbus networks. The ...

Hyperboloid connector family offers high cycle life.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... QA Technology Co. announced the expansion of its integraMate hyperboloid contact and connector product family with the addition of 1.5 mm size contacts and a three-pin power connector. The 1.5 mm size has a current rating in excess of 12A, and it incorporates a 12-wire hyperboloid cage ....

Contact connectors in straight receptacle versions.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... FCI enlarged its high density Compact D Series to 62 contact connectors in straight receptacle versions to meet the need for higher density connectors and as a complement to its press-fit D-sub range in 78 contacts. Provided with press-fit terminations, this connector helps to avoid the ...

Direct acting valve is rated for mobile voltage operation.(PACKAGING & INTERCONNECTS)

Mar 01, 2008 ... Parker Hannifin Corp. introduced its XM Series Inline Valve for multiple industrial applications in a variety of pneumatic markets. This 1/8", two-position, single solenoid, spring return three-way or four-way valve has AC or DC operating voltages. The 12V DC and 24V DC coils are rated for ...